Good morning everyone
A warm welcome to Mrs Philippa Manning from PMB Mental Health as our guest today.
Mr Barbour shared a message with the boys around the theme of finding hope and faith in a hopeless place. He encouraged the boys to place their trust in God, and invite him into their lives as the living hope for all.
COLLEGE CAROL SERVICE
Congratulations and thank you to the music department under the guidance of Mr Stickells, Mrs Stickells, Mr Heyns , Mr Kisby-Green, staff and boys choirs plus the jazz band, for a wonderful celebration of the Christmas season at the annual College Carols. Hosted at the One Life Church with Epworth High School and Merchiston, it was a wonderful evening thoroughly enjoyed by all. There will be a video available shortly which will be released on various platforms.
End of year
2022 has been a turbulent year to say the least. You can all collectively take pride in the manner in which you have dealt with the myriad of curve balls that have been thrown at you. We acknowledge your incredible resilience, patience and courage. Well done and thank you for the many ways you contributed to making the most out of the plate that you have been served. I also to wish to commend the staff as well who have had to deal with a cumulative three years of added stress in so many areas. Their commitment, dedication and passion is sincerely appreciated.
We now all await the NSC results to see how our F6 have faired in the examinations. You in your own way need to reflect on the past year and measure your success and whether you have achieved the goals you set yourself.
Staff Leaving
The end of the year is often also a sad time as we bid people who are leaving us farewell.
College paid tribute to the staff leaving, a number of whom are retring after many years of loyal service. Full details of these staff are here.
Staffing Appointments
The following are internal staffing promotion appointments in key positions for 2023
2023 Term 1 Promotions:
- Subject Head of Life Sciences Mr Matt Warr
- BE Housemaster Clark House Mr Kelvin Elder
- Subject Head of Afrikaans Mrs Robyn Brunzlaff
- Deputy BE Housemaster Clark House Mr Claude Pitout
- Deputy BE Housemaster Elliot House Mr Liam Smorfitt
- Assistant Day Housemaster Calder House Mr Graham Dorling
- Media Centre Manager Mrs Liesl Dos Santos
We thank all the staff who have held these positions previously for the dedication and commitment to their respective roles.
#GOGREENMENTALHEALTH
In the month of October, College ran its #GoGreenforMentalHealth campaign in support of Mental Health Awareness Month. This campaign is all about raising awareness around understanding and speaking up about our mental health status, accessing support and professional treatment, and most importantly breaking the mental health stigma that leaves so many suffering in silence. This year it was very exciting to be able to go bigger than the inaugural project of 2021. As part of this year’s campaign, we turned the College badge green, wrapped trees around the school, ran the #GreenRibbonProject, and hosted our first Colour Run for Mental Health. Hosting an event like that for the first time is never without its hiccups but overall it was a great afternoon with so many of you turning up which was absolutely incredible. How wonderful to see so many happy, green people! Once again, a big thank you to our very generous sponsors: Wicked Karting, Clay Brulee, Acrobranch, African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, and CoffeeBox, who made for some very happy prize winners on the day.
More important than the fun that was had at the run and the controversy around a green College badge, the fundraising projects for the month were a great success. With us today is Philippa Manning, the director of PMB Mental Health – the organisation that is the beneficiary of the #GoGreenForMentalHealth campaign. PMB Mental Health is a well-established non-profit organisation that continues to be a beacon of hope for persons with psychosocial and intellectual disability in Pietermaritzburg offering social work programmes, residential programmes, and employment programmes. PMB Mental Health time and again goes beyond the call of duty caring for those who are marginalised and ensuring that families and communities are informed about mental health and well-being.
Philippa, thank you to you and your colleagues at PMB Mental Health for all that you do for our community. The impact of your organisation is widespread and does not go unnoticed by College. We are only but grateful that we can support you in serving our community. I am so pleased to be handing over a sum of R17500.00 to PMB Mental Health today. This is more than double what we were able to donate last year. Please accept this donation from our organisation to yours.
This of course would not be possible without all of the College community’s investment in the project so a big thank you to you all for your support. Finally, congratulations to Forder house who raised the most money out of the houses for the #GreenRibbonProject. Enjoy your donuts during break today! I am hopeful that next year we get even more support from the houses and we can up the ante on that prize.
Boys leaving College
To those boys who are also leaving for various reasons, we also thank you for your contribution to College and remind you that you will always be a part of College and the RED, Black and white.
I would like to read a poem that is pertinent at this point
‘The bridge to the future’
Author unknown.
I cross the bridge and leave behind the world I know so well
A place without surprises
With stories I can tell.
Across the bridge
what lies there?
If only that I knew.
A land of possibilities
Where all my dreams come true?
Every bridge I cross in life
Will take me to new ground
Old things will be left behind
But new ones will be found.
For all of you today – this is the last day of F2, 3, 4 or 5. Not only is it an end but also the beginning of something new; a new chapter in your lives. Try to remember that, as you face new challenges, you are not alone. There are good things waiting for you just around the corner. So step out with confidence and take new opportunities in your stride as you return in 2023.
It is essential that during the course of today and tomorrow , you take the time to thank all your teachers for their considerable efforts this year in keeping you on the academic track as best as possible and your mentors and housemasters for their support.
I wish you all a very Merry and safe Christmas with your families and a prosperous and enjoyable 2023. Please ensure that you do thank your parents and others who have made the personal sacrifice for you to attend College – it should not be taken for granted. Make sure that you also give of yourself as this is the season for giving.
Please stay safe and healthy
Pro Aris et Focis
CL Luman (Headmaster)